We love seeing the full-circle journey of our students, many of whom return years later as parents who are keen to give their own children the same enriching experience. Michelle was once a dedicated member of Galileo’s Gang, excelling in quiz competitions and public speaking. Now as a parent, she has enrolled her daughter to embark on her own learning adventure with us.
We spoke with Michelle to reminisce about her fond memories at The Swot Shop, how it shaped her academic journey, and why she believes it’s the perfect place for her daughter to grow and be challenged too.
Perhaps there are more of you who are in this boat who may also recognise Michelle’s past Swot Shop trophies, bringing back a wave of nostalgia. Here’s what she had to share:
What are some of your fondest memories from your time at The Swot Shop?
My fondest memories of the weekly Galileo’s Gang sessions were the board games – my favourites were Mancala and Abalone – as they kickstarted my lifelong love of playing board games with friends and family. My other core memories are of Finals Nights… I competed a few years in quiz and public speaking, winning a couple along the way. I remember being a bundle of nerves every time, but coming away with such a sense of achievement at the end.
How did Swot Shop help shape your academic journey, particularly in quiz competitions and public speaking?
I was never very good at sport, but Swot Shop showed me where my strengths were, and gave me an opportunity to win trophies for challenging myself in those domains. I think I already had an innate love of learning, but my time there provided an opportunity for me to challenge myself further, and to be challenged by others – both the teachers and the other kids. While we all like the confidence boost that comes from being the smartest in the room from time to time, Swot Shop taught me that to learn and grow you need to surround yourself with people who know more or different things to you.
What made you decide to enrol your daughter at The Swot Shop?
I wanted our daughter to be challenged academically, but in a different way to what the basic school curriculum offers – not so much learning ‘things’ but learning different ways of thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, and logic. She has always had a thirst for learning, and a strong ability to make logical connections between pieces of information, so I am hoping Swot Shop can help her to really lean into that and apply it in different ways. Also, I think she might be getting sick of playing board games with me so it’s good for her to get the opportunity to play some with kids her age!
How does she feel about her classes so far?
We are only a few weeks in, but so far, she has enjoyed learning new board games, and really enjoys ‘word grab’ on the iPads (that wasn’t an option in the 90s!)
What advice would you give to current Swot Shop students and parents?
Do your homework, contribute in class, and get involved! It can be nerve-wracking being up there in front of everyone giving a speech or playing chess or doing the quiz, but stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the best ways to build confidence in your own abilities.
Thank you to Michelle for sharing her story with us. No doubt it has brought back many fond memories for many!
